Quick release fastener



- Dec. 23, 1952 R. c. I=EGAI 2,622,294

QUICK RELEASE FASTENER E,

Filed July 20. 1949 Z0 WITNESS IN VEN TOR.

g BY ffoseralm/lr 7 71 flar- Patented Dec. 23, T1952 a UNITED STATES PATENT' OFFICE QUICK RELEASE FASTENER Robert C. Legat, New Britain, Conn., assignor to The G. E. Prentice Mfg. 00., Kensington, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application July 20, 1949, Serial No. 105,743

2 Claims. (Cl. 24205.11)

1 2 This invention relates to slide actuated fastenthe portion of the stringer on which the quick reers and more particularly to fasteners provided lease member is mounted; Fig. 5 is a front elevawith separable bottom stops whereby the stringtional view of the parts shown in Fig. 4, and Fig. ers may be entirely separated. 6 is a sectional View taken along the line 66 of Ordinarily the stringers of separable fasteners 5 Fig. 5 and showing in addition, a, transverse secare disconnected by moving the slide downwardly tional view of the slider. or in a direction to disengage the locked fastener In the drawings, the reference numerals III and elements on the stringers until the slider comes II indicate the usual flexible fastener stringers into engagement with the separable bottom stops, which are to-be attached to a garment or article whereupon the two stringers may be readily sepa- 10 and which have corded or beaded edges I2, I3, re-

rated. Many situations arise however, particuspectively, carrying the opposed series of fastener larly in the case of relatively long fasteners, where elements I4 and I5, respectively. The opposed the element of time in opening a fastener becomes series of fastener elements I4 and I5 are moved important or where it is inconvenient to open the into engaging interlocking relation in the usual fastener in the usual manner, either because of its manner by means of a slider I6 of any appropriate extreme length or its location on the article. In construction having convergent guide channels order to take care of such situations, the art has and provided with a hand manipulatable actuheretofore devised fasteners which when fully ating member or pull tab II. The pull tab Il may closed, may be quickly opened by alateral separabe provided with a, locking pin I8 which is artion of the stringers independently of the slider. ranged to enter into an opening I9 provided on Such prior constructions usually have more fasthe front or top plate of the slider and into entener elements on one stringer than on the other gagement with the series of fastener elements I4 and one top stop on the longest stringer, together when the pull tab is moved to the position shown with some means to prevent unlocking movement in Fig. 2 of the drawings, to lock the slider IS in of the slider or necessitating an extra operation position on the stringers I0 and II. The lower in order to utilize the quick release feature emends of the stringers I0 and II carry the cooperbodied in the fastener. In some of these prior ating end or bottom stop members 20 and 2|, reconstructions it was also necessary to cut away spectively; the stop member 20 being a socket a portion of the corded edge of the shorter member secured to the stringer I0, and the mem stringer in order to operate properly the quick her 2I being a pin member secured to the corded release feature incorporated therein. 'Such cutedge I3 of the stringer II. The pin member 2| ting away of the cord however, requires an addiis adapted to be inserted into the upper end of tional operation in the manufacture of the fasthe socket member 20 and when it is properly tener and considerable losses have been incurred positioned in the latter, the fastener elements will in the practice of the same. be in proper relation to be interengaged by the The primary purpose of the present invention slider It. When the slider I6 is moved to a posiis to provide a novel and improved form of quick tion in abutting relation with the upper end of release which is free of the disadvantages of prior socket 20, the stringers may readily be discondevices of the indicated type and which will have nected in the usual manner by removing the pin an appearance similar to that of the ordinary fas- 40 2| from socket 20. tener. The upper ends of the stringers l0 and I I carry A further object of the invention is to provide a the top stop members 22, 23, respectively, of the fastener which is provided with balanced top fastener. It will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2 of the stops and which can be opened independently of drawings, that the top stop members 22, 23 are the slider without changing the position of the equidistant from the bottom stop members 20 and latter and while the slider is in a locked condition 2| so that they may be termed balanced top on the fastener. stops. The stop members 22 and 23 are of similar Other objects of the invention as well as the construction, being substantially U-shaped and advantages and novel features of construction being firmly clinched to the stringers I0 and II, thereof, will become apparent after a perusal of respectively. Stop member 22, like the fastener the following description when read in connection elements I4, is firmly anchored to the beaded edge with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 I2 of stringer being Spaced a e e topmost is a front elevational, broken view, of a separable element in such series, a distance approximately fastener embodying the invention and showing equal to the space between adjacent individual the stringers disconnected from the slider to elements in the series. The series of fastener eleenable quick separation; Fig. 2 is a front elevaments I5 on stringer II is shorter in length than tional view of the upper portion of the fastener the series of fastener elements I4 so that the stop in normal, locked condition; Fig. 3 is a plan view member 23 connected to stringer II is spaced of the blank from which the quick release memabove the topmost element in the series of eleberisformed; Fig. 415 an end elevational view of ments I5, a distance substantially equal to the longitudinal length of slider I6, as can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Spanning the space between the top end of the series offastener elements I5 and the top stop 23, is a quick release member which is designated generally by the numeral 24.

As is shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the release member 24 is made from a fiat blank 25 of metal which is approximately .007 inch thick and provided at its lower end with a rectangularlyshaped opening 25 forming a strap 2'! having a Width substantially equal to the width of the space between adjacent elements IS on the stringer II. Intermediate the opening 26 and the longitudinal edges of the blank are a pair of apertures 28, 23 which in the finished form of the member are aligned. The upper end of the blank 25 is provided with a centrally located cutout 29 which in the finished .form of the member is concealed by the top stop 23. In forming the release member .2 3, the blank '25 is shaped along its longitudinal central portion to provide a longitudinal, tube-like section 33 which encloses the corded or beaded edge I3 of the stringer II .and two longitudinal edge portions 3i, 3|; the longitudinal portions of such section 33 adjacent to the edge portion 3!, .3I converging toward the latter (note Fig. 6). It will be noted from Fig. 5 of the drawings, that when the release member 24 is assembled on stringer I I with the edge portions 3|, 3! thereof located on op posite sides of such .stringer, the strap portion 2'7 of such member will enclose the portion of the corded edge I3 which is intermediate the two uppermost fastener elements in the series of elements I5, while the tube-like section 39 thereof will enclose the corded edge above the topmost element I5 in such series. The cutout 29 at the top of release member 2Q will expose sufficient .of the corded edge E3 to enable the top stop 23 to be clamped to both such corded edge and the upper ends of the edge portions 3!, 3I of the re lease member. The edge portions 3i, SI of such member is also secured together and to the stringer II by means of a rivet 32 which passes through the apertures 28, 28 of such member and through the material of stringer i I. It will thus be seen that the release member 24 is firmly and permanently mounted on stringer i I by the looking of strap 2? to the topmost fastener element I5, the rivet 32 and the clamping action of the top stop 23.

As is clearly shown in Figs/1, 5 and 6 of the drawings, in the assembled condition of the release member 2a, the tube-like section 39 thereof including the strap portion 2?, will be in alignment with the root or anchoring portions I5 of the fastener elements it and will closely engage the corded edge I3 of the stringer Ii. The tubelike section has a transverse width less than the transverse width of the element anchoring portions 55', but slightly greater than the width of the space between the opposed side flanges 33, 34, on the front and rear plates 35 and 36, respectively, of the slider i6 (note Fig. 6) Thus, for a predetermined size of fastener, if the width of the space between the outer side guides or flanges of the slider is of the order of forty-seven thousandths of an inch, the transverse width of the tube-like portion 38 may be made approximately eighty-five thousandths of an inch. It will thus be seen that as the slider It is moved upwardly towards the top stops 22, 23,, the two side flanges 33, 34, on the right-hand side of the slider, as viewed'in Figs. 1 and 6, will readily pass from in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

their engagement with the rear edges of the root portions of the fastener elements and onto the longitudinal edge portions ofthe release member 24 adjacent to the inner longitudinal edges of the tube-like section 39. The width of section 30 being greater than the space between such side flanges 33, 34, the slider will maintain the two upper ends of the stringers Iii and II in proper relation. However, should it be desired to pass the tube-like section 30 between such side flanges 33, 34 of the slider, this can readily be accomplished by exerting an outwardly directed force on the member 2 1. Under such outward force, theinclined or carrying longitudinal portions of section 30 adjacent to the edge portions 3| thereof, will force said slider flanges 33, E l apart; .the plates 35 and35'of the slider i6 yielding to permit this action to take place. As soon as the tubelike section '33 has passed between the slider flanges33, 3 1, the inherent resiliency in the connection of such plates will return the latter and such flanges 33, 34 to their normal positions.

It is believed that an understanding of the operation of the fastener of this invention will be apparent from the foregoing, but for the sake of clearness, it might be pointed out that when the slider is in its uppermost position on the fastener, the latter will be fully closed and the stringers will be retained in proper relation to each other by the coaction of the side flanges 33, 34 of the slider with the rear edges of the elements I i on stringer IE3 and with the tube-like section 39 of the releasernember Ed on stringer l i. 'In this position of the slider, the side flanges 33, on the right-hand side thereof, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 6, will be positioned between the topmost fastener element i5 and the top stop 23. The slider may be locked in this position by moving the pull tab I'i to the position shown in Fig. ;2 of the drawings, to cause the locking pin it thereon to engage between the fastener elements Id at the top of stringer Ill. Should it thereupon be desired to disengage the stringers in the usual fashion, all that is necessary, is to lift the pull tab and manually move the slider downwardly on the series of elements It and I5, until it engages the bottom stop, whereupon, the pin 2| of the latter may be withdrawn from the socket 25 thereof to separate the stringers. When the stringers I0 and H are so separated, the slider it remains connected to stringer It. On the other hand, should it be desired to separate the stringers It and II, in less time than it would take to operate the slider inthe usual fashion, all that is necessary, .is to make a slidewise, outward pull on stringer II, while stringer it is being held in the region of or above the release member 24 without moving slider I6 or changing its locked condition in stringer Ill. The result of such outward pull will cause'the tubelike section 313 of the release member 24 to pass between the associated slider flanges 33 and 34 in the manner previously explained so that such member becomes free of the slider, as is shown By continuing such outward pull, the fastener elements It and I5 will easily disengage down to the bottom stop and the pin 2! will readily lift out of the socket 20 to completely separate the stringers.

It willbe seen from the foregoing, that in appearance, the fastener of the instant invention resembles the usual fastener and is decidedly better looking than the fasteners which have heretofore been provided with quick release means. Such means of the instant-invention is simple in construction, does not require any special manipulation to accomplish the quick release of the stringers and will function in a reliable manner with relatively little effort on the part of the user.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred form of the invention, it will be evident to those skilled in the art, that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, or the scope of the appended claims. Thus, for example, it is quite obvious that the invention can be utilized to equal advantage with other forms of fasteners and sliders and that the release member and top stop 23 can be integrally formed instead of being made of separate parts. Also, the release member may be securely anchored to the stringer in some other suitable manner than that specifically disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having reenforced thickened edges with rows of cooperating fastener elements attached to such reenforced edges and a slider movable longitudinally of said stringers to interlock and disengage said elements, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, resiliently supported, plates having marginal side flanges defining a fastener element guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced for passage of said stringer tapes therebetween, a metal plate folded about the reenforced edge portion for a distance greater adjacent to the upper end of the row of elements thereon, said plate having a cut-out at its upper end so that the longitudinally folded central portion thereof is shorter than the overall length of said plate, said central portion being substantially tube-shaped and snugly enclosing such reenforced edge portion for a distance greater than the length of a side flange of said slider, said tube-shaped portion being of substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout its entire length, being substantially rigid and noncompressible, and having a transverse outside dimension greater than the normal space between adjacent side fianges of said slider and such that it can be passed laterally through such space as such adjacent side flanges are spread when a sidewise force is exerted on such stringer sufficient to cause such spreading action through said tube-shaped portion, the outer edges of said tube-shaped portion being disposed in converging relation, the portions of said plate beyond said tube-shaped portion being substantially flat and parallelly disposed and integrally connected along the major portions of their inner edges to the converging outer edges of said tube-like portion, the upper ends of said fiat plate portions projecting above the upper end of said tube-like portion, an end stop for abutting said slider to limit movement thereof in the closing direction located adjacent to the upper end of said tubelike portion and overlapping the upper projecting ends of said fiat plate portions, said end stop including a pair of jaws clamped to the reenforced edge of the stringer adjacently above said tube-like portion and to the upper projecting ends of said fiat portions, and means adjacent to the lower end of said tube-like portion securing the lower ends of said fiat portions to the material of said stringer.

2. In a fastener including a pair of stringer tapes having reenforced thickened edges with rows of cooperating fastener elements attached to such reenforced edges and a slider movable longitudinally of said stringers to interlock and disengage said elements, said slider comprising a pair of spaced, resiliently supported, plates having marginal side flanges defining a fastener element of guide channel and adjacent flanges being spaced for passage of said stringer tapes therebetween, a top stop on each of said stringers and adapted to abut said slider to limit movement thereof in the closing direction, said top stops being spaced equal distances from the bottom of the fastener and one of said top stops being located adjacent to the upper end of its associated row of elements and the other of said top stops being located at a substantial distance above the upper end of its associated row of elements, a metal plate folded about the reenforced edge portion of the stringer between said other top stop and the upper end of the associated row of elements, said plate having a cut-out at its upper end so that the longitudinally folded central portion thereof is shorter than the overall length of said plate and said central portion having a transverse slot spaced from its lower end and receiving the uppermost fastener member on such stringer, said central portion being substantially tube-shaped throughout its entire length and snugly enclosing such reenforced edge portion both below and above such uppermost fastener element and for a distance above the latter greater than the length of a side flange of said slider, said tube-shaped portion being of substantially uniform cross-sectional area throughout its entire length, being substantially rigid and non-compressible, and having a transverse outside dimension greater than the normal space between adjacent side flanges of said slider and such that above said uppermost element it can be passed laterally through such space as such adjacent side flanges are spread when a.v sidewise force is exerted on such stringer sufficient to cause such spreading action through such tube-shaped portion, the outer edges of said tube-shaped portion being disposed in converging relation, the portions of said plate beyond said tube-shaped portion being substantially flat and parallelly disposed and integrally connected along the major portions of their inner edges to the converging outer edges of said tube-like portion, the upper ends of said flat plate portions projecting above the upper end of said tube-like portion and underlying said other end stop, said other end stop including a pair of jaws clamped to the reenforced edge of the stringer adjacently above said tube-like portion and to the upper projecting ends of said flat portions, and means adjacent to the lower end of said tube-like portion securing the lower ends of said flat portions to the material of said stringers.

ROBERT C. LEGAT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,114,747 Murphy Apr. 19, 1938 2,177,599 Murphy Oct. 24, 1939 2,325,305 Carlile July 27, 1943 2,423,202 Morin July 1, 1947 

